Benue State Government has finalised a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with KAOTHEEM Energy Services and TAICOP Capital Partners, facilitated by Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), to boost education, AI, agro-processing, wealth creation, and employment.

The deal will establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) School at Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (BSUAST), Ihugh, plus world-class agro-processing hubs for yam flour, tomato paste, and soybean expansion.

Deputy governor, Sam Odeh, representing Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Makurdi signing, called it a “turning point,” announcing a technical committee for implementation and pledging sustainable results beyond past MoUs. He symbolically declared, “Today, we have given birth to Benue Rice.”

BIPC Group Managing Director, Raymond Asemakaha, said the partnership shifts Benue from agrarian to industrial status, leveraging AI and research to cut post-harvest losses, enhance food security, and tap yam, cassava, maize, and soybean potential for exports.

KAOTHEEM Chairman, Tom Iseghohi committed $2 billion initial investment over 10 years without state guarantees, targeting GDP growth from $2 billion to $20 billion, $5,000 per capita income, millions of jobs, better security, revenue, and tech infrastructure.

The project eyes 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. Asemakaha stressed Benue seeks strategic partners, not contractors.

Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry Alumo Orpin hailed the timing, urging university-industry alignment. Benagro MD Peter Chiese called investors ideal for unlocking land resources.

Benue Internal Revenue Service Chairman, Joseph Kwaghba, predicted revenue and GDP boosts. BSUAST Vice Chancellor Qrisstuberg Msughter Amua and Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, University VC Timothy Alabar, pledged collaboration on AI and innovation. (Nigerian Tribune)

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